I spend a lot of time in fabric stores, and I don't think it's a far stretch to say that this store has, by far, the WORST help of any fabric store in Seattle. You would think that the older women that work there (specifically one named Loretta. If you see an older woman with large glasses and long white hair past her waist just leave and come back some other time) would bother to give at least decent service to someone who comes in several times a month and spends usually $100+ during each visit, but apparently that's too much to ask. For example: walking off to start a lengthy conversation about nothing with other coworkers mid cutting fabric for a customer, the complete inability/refusal to find anything if you happen to require assistance, and my personal favorite: Loretta completely refusing to uphold the other stores policies on remnants and remnant pricing. Don't even ask: you'll just get a blank stare and the flat response: "Uhhhh remnants come from the remnant table...." Well, where do you think they come from before that.... I mean really.
If it wasn't for this store's large variety of realistic looking faux furs I would never, EVER come back. The sign says outlet but don't let that fool you- for the most part it's just the warehouse that time forgot; full of products at full price that failed to sell at their other locations. Oh, and by the way, if you're thinking of visiting for that specific reason keep this in mind: they blew through a lot of that stock during Halloween- so they don't have a good selection anymore. For faux fur I recommend:
www.plushfurs.com
or if you buy wholesale:
http://www.shannonfabrics.com
I found out that the fantastic fur that comes from Pacific Fabrics originates from this company, so if you have a business license, save yourself a huge headache, and just order from them instead. Or if you like to shop locally, there's always Stitches on Capitol Hill, Nancy's Sewing Basket, or the good ol' standby, JoAnn Fabrics. Or even the Pacific Fabrics in Northgate.
...Pretty much anywhere but here.
****UPDATE: I just went in 2 weeks ago to get a piece of faux fur since I ran out of my wholesale roll. I asked the woman at the cutting counter politely if she could cut the piece instead of tearing it because on a smaller (approximately 1.5 yd) piece it would pull it off grain and I would have to re-block it with steam when I got home. Her reply: "I don't know do you have all day?" Awesome. The fabric is 60" wide- hardly a ridiculously arduous task. You'd think I had asked her to personally drive to another store and bring something back for me. I don't know where these good service reviews are coming from, but that's certainly not been my experience now or at any other point. read more